Sovereignty

Definition

Sovereignty is the supreme authority of a state to govern itself without external interference, forming the foundational principle of the international system established by the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. It encompasses territorial integrity, political independence, legal jurisdiction, and the monopoly on the legitimate use of force within borders. In practice, sovereignty is not absolute — it is constrained by international law, treaty obligations, economic interdependence, and norms like the Responsibility to Protect (R2P). Debates over sovereignty are central to issues like humanitarian intervention, secessionist movements, cyberspace governance, and the tension between national autonomy and supranational institutions.